n.1. An apparatus in which environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can be controlled, often used for growing bacterial cultures, hatching eggs artificially, or providing suitable conditions for a chemical or biological reaction.
2. Medicine An apparatus for maintaining an infant, especially a premature infant, in an environment of controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration.
3. a. A place or situation that permits or encourages the formation and development, as of new ideas: a university that was an incubator of new approaches to sociology.
b. An organization that provides new businesses with technical and support services and usually low-cost office space or infrastructure.